The Kira Top is a drawstring bikini top with thick straps and plenty of coverage. The drawstring allows you to customize your coverage, so you can wear it as a bikini top or even like a crop top. Plus, it's reversible!
You can find the video tutorial for the Kira Top at the link below:
-1 yard of swimwear fabric
-Swimwear elastic (recommended for the best fit)
-Seam ripper
-Loop turner OR safety pin
-Overlock machine
-Regular sewing machine
You will need both a regular sewing machine as well as an overlock machine for this tutorial. If you don't have an overlock machine, you can use a zig zag stitch on a regular sewing machine. Make sure you at least have a regular sewing machine, because we will be using a straight stitch in this tutorial.
Assemble your pattern and cut your pieces. You'll cut two of the front piece (Piece 1) and two of the back piece (Piece 2). You will also cut your strap piece according to the measurements provided in the pattern.
Match your front pieces and back pieces together, each with right sides together. For both the front piece and back piece, pin along the bottom line, armholes, and neckline.
Sew where you've pinned. If you plan on attaching elastic, attach it everywhere you've pinned EXCEPT make sure to stop about 1/2" before you reach the center of the front piece, as this is where our strap channels will go later on.
You're also going to fold your strap lengthwise, matching right sides together. Sew the raw edges together and attach your elastic.
Flip your back piece to the right side, and insert it inside of the front piece. The front piece is still inside out, so when you insert the back piece you should be matching right sides together.
While the back piece is inside, you're going to align it so it matches up with the straps and the sides of the front. Pin down each strap and each side, then sew down to secure. This will attach the front to the back.
Seam rip a 1-2" hole somewhere along the front piece. Through this hole, you will take everything back out to the right side. It is up to personal preference where you decide to put the hole.
Once you've taken the suit to the right side, finish off the hole with an invisible stitch or a top stitch.
Next, it's time to make the strap channels. Mark a line down the center of the front, and mark 2 more lines 0.25" apart from the center on either side.
Switching to a straight stitch, you're going to stitch down 3 lines to create the channels.
Take your seam ripper and rip the seam that's in between each of the channels. Do this with both the top and the bottom.
Bring your strap back, and using a loop turner or safety pin, take it to the right side.
Then, thread the strap through the strap channels we just made.
Thank you for reading this tutorial, if you have any additional questions you may email customer service hello@edgewaterave.com. Additionally, we'd invite you to join our Facebook group, "Learning to Sew Swimwear with Edgewater Avenue" where over 1,000 members with all kinds of experience share advice, answer questions, and talk about all things DIY swimwear. You can join here: https://facebook.com/groups/edgewaterave
